Mr Shaw reportedly wants a tightening of Victoria's abortion laws, but Dr Napthine said he had "no plans" to change the law.

"The Parliament of Victoria has made a decision with respect to abortion laws in this state. I respect the decision of the Parliament and I have no intention of making any changes to abortion laws," he said.

Abortions at up to 24 weeks were legalised in Victoria in 2008 under the leadership of John Brumby.

Pressed repeatedly on the chances of a deal with Mr Shaw, Dr Napthine repeated his line that "we shouldn't pre-empt those discussions".

Asked directly if it was true that Mr Shaw had threatened to block the budget if Mr Baillieu remained as premier, he replied: "I'm not aware of that."

"My determination is to work with my state and territory colleagues," he replied.

Asked if he or his office had any contact with Liberal figures in Victoria about getting rid of Mr Baillieu, Mr Abbott responded: "Obviously I talk to my colleagues all the time about a whole range of subjects.

"But as far as I was concerned, as far as my office was concerned, we were working very constructively with Ted Baillieu."

Mr Baillieu had been suffering in the opinion polls and had been forced to refer his own chief of staff to Victoria's new corruption watchdog after the release of secretly-taped phone calls, but Dr Napthine said the former premier had "made his own decision" on whether his leadership was untenable.

"I can absolutely tell you I did not go in and tell Mr Baillieu that," he said.

"I went in and spoke to Mr Baillieu and offered him my support for him to continue in the role."